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THB[CIVIL WAR] "USR" Revenue Marine Cutlass
![[CIVIL WAR] "USR" Revenue Marine Cutlass](https://s1.img.bidsquare.com/item/xl/3340/33407528.jpeg?t=1Vbim1)
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About Auction
LiveNov 22, 2025
This exclusive catalog presents a select offering from the personal collection of Alejandro "Alex" de Quesada Jr., renowned historian, author, and collector. The catalog features exceptionally rare swords, historically significant belt buckles and military insignia, original Civil War flags, and a wide range of ephemera representing pivotal moments in military history. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com
View Full Catalog (254)
- Lot Description
ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE OF REVENUE MARINE CUTLASS
ONE OF THE RAREST CIVIL WAR SWORDS EXTANT
Revenue Marine Cutlass. [Chicopee, Massachusetts]: [Ames Manufacturing Company], circa 1862.
26 in. curved single-edged blade with 18 1/2 in. median fuller. Leather-covered grooved wood grip with two-ply twisted wire. Brass pommel and cupped knuckle bow pierced with letters "USR". Copper-riveted leather sheaf with buffalo hide frog. Overall 33 3/4 in./
Publications: John D. Hamilton. The Ames Sword Company, 1829-1935. Providence, RI: Mowbray Company, 1983, p.165.
Provenance: Ames Family thus by descent, Norm Flayderman Collection; John Rinaldi Collection; Kevin Hoffman Collection; Alejandro de Quesada, Jr.
The only known authentic example of the Ames cutlass produced for the Revenue Marines during the Civil War. John Hamilton quotes renowned collector and previous owner of this same sword in his definitive work on the Ames Manufacturing Company: "One dozen were ordered in June 1862 by Capt. Steiner (Quartermaster Corps). The order for the Revenue Service was an emergency requirement, placed in round-about fashion through General Charles T. James who was sked to forward the requisition to Ames, personally." (p. 165). It is related that Flayderman himself purchased the sword directly from the Ames family. No other authentic examples of the extremely limited run of 12 are known.
The United States Revenue Cutter Service was initially formed as an armed customs enforcement agency. Over time, their missions were expanded. They remained in operation until 28 January 1915, when they were merged with the United States Life-Saving Service to form the United States Coast Guard.
Notably, the first maritime of shot of the Civil War was fired by the USRC Harriet Lane when the civilian mail steamer Nashville attempted to enter Charleston Harbor without an identifying flag during the bombardment of Fort Sumter. The Nashville raised her flag, was permitted entrance, but was promptly seized by the Confederate Navy. Upon the full eruption of war, revenue cutters assisted U.S. Navy operations in many capacities, including the blockade, sorties to attack Richmond, and transporting troops.
A unique opportunity to acquire one of the rarest Civil War blades in existence.
Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.
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All packages valued at over $250 are shipped with a signature required upon delivery. All packages handled and shipped in-house by Fleischer's Auctions are not insured unless insurance is requested. Successful bidders who would like their packages insured are responsible for notifying us that this is the case and are responsible for paying the cost of insurance.
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